Cdc42 regulates apical membrane fusion via the Rab11a-VAMP2 pathway in salivary gland acinar cells.

ABSTRACT: Epithelial polarity is essential for proper tissue organization and function, yet the molecular mechanisms governing apical membrane formation during secretory epithelial development remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigate the role of the small GTPase Cdc42 in salivary gland acinar cell development using a mouse model designed to knock out Cdc42 specifically at the onset of acinar cell formation. Loss of Cdc42 resulted in defective apical membrane formation accompanied by accumulation of vesicles around the apical lumen. These vesicles contained the apical water channel AQP5 and the apical recycling endosome (ARE) marker Rab11a, while the basolateral transporter NKCC1 retained normal localization, indicating an apical-selective trafficking defect. Importantly, Cdc42 deficiency

SUBMITTER: Shitara A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12478388 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature